Sports swing improvement device and method

ABSTRACT

A device and method to assist in guiding or training bodily motions involved with various sporting activities. The sports swing guidance device comprises a first strap adapted to encircle a player&#39;s first arm. The first strap may be connected to a second strap adapted to fasten to a connection point near a second part of the player&#39;s body (for a golfer, e.g., often the hip opposite the player&#39;s first arm). The device may also comprise a third strap adapted to anchor the device with respect to a third point on the player&#39;s body (for example the player&#39;s chest or back or waist).

This application claims the benefit of, and incorporates by reference, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/623,438, filed Oct. 29, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to training devices and methods for improving aspects of a player's sports swing, and more particularly to a device which helps control the player's arm motion during a sports swing by restricting the movement of the arm relative to the player's body.

The relationship between a player's arm and body during a sports swing can be important to proper execution of a swing. For example, the relationship between a golfer's leading arm and body during a golf swing is fundamental to a proper stroke. If the arc or plane of the swing is incorrect, a fair or poor shot will result. If the swing is correct, the result will more often be a good shot. The same general principle can apply as well in other sports that involve precise arm movements, including for example stick-and-ball sports such as baseball, hockey, and racquet sports.

Many training aids have been suggested for controlling the movement of a player's arms, legs and body. For example, certain devices for controlling the movement of a golfer's arms are shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,924 and in various references cited therein, relating to devices for restraining one or both arms of a golfer during a golf swing.

The present invention is a distinct improvement over the training devices of the prior art as will become more apparent from this specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The sports swing guidance device, according to the invention, comprises a first strap adapted to encircle a player's first arm. The first strap may be connected to a second strap adapted to fasten to a connection point near a second part of the player's body (often the hip opposite the player's first arm). The device may also comprise a third strap adapted to anchor the device with respect to a third point on the player's body (for example the player's chest or back or waist).

The sports swing guidance method, according to the invention, comprises connecting a player's first arm to a connection point near a second part of the player's body. The method may also comprise connecting the first arm to a third point on the player's body.

In some embodiments the first strap, which may be cushioned for comfort, is adapted to encircle the player's “lead” arm—i.e., the arm with which the player leads into the sports stroke. The first strap generally should be adjustable so as to accommodate a comfortable, personalized fit for different players' arms. An adjustable fit can be accomplished in several ways. For example, the first strap can be constructed with a rigid elongated ring secured at a first end of the strap, so as to allow the second end of the strap to pass through the ring and fold back upon the strap and be secured there in some manner (e.g., by hook-and-loop fastening, snapping, buttoning, zipping, clipping, or other methods).

The second strap may be connected directly or indirectly to the first strap in a variety of ways. For example, the second strap may be stitched directly to the first strap using reinforced webbing material, or there may be intermediate materials by which the second strap is connected to the first strap. The end of the second strap that is remote from the first strap may be adapted to connect directly or indirectly to some connection point near a second part of the player's body. For example, the remote end of the second strap may be adapted to connect to a point near the hip opposite the player's lead arm—i.e., if the player's lead arm is the left arm, the remote end of the second strap may be adapted to connect to a point near the player's right hip. This connection could be accomplished in a variety of ways. As one example, the second strap could be constructed with a releasable swiveling J-clip fastener secured at the remote end of the strap, so that the J-clip fastener could be connected and disconnected to a belt, belt loop, eyehook, or other point near the player's right hip. This connection could also be accomplished in other ways, e.g. using snapping, buttoning, zipping, hook-and-loop fastening, pinning, clipping, or other methods. The second strap may be adjustable in length to allow a proper fit.

In this arrangement the device or method provides for some restraint of motion in the player's first arm (e.g., the lead swinging arm) relative to the player's body. The precise nature of this restraint would be adapted to the requirements of the particular sport or activity for which the player wishes to train. For example, the restraining effect of the device or method could affect the arc or plane of a swinging motion executed by the player. The second strap may also constrain or guide a second part of the player's body (such as the player's hip or leg or other arm) relative to the player's body, preferably in a manner suited to the needs of the particular sport or activity for which the player wishes to train.

Furthermore, a third strap may be employed in this device or method. The third strap may be connected directly or indirectly to the first strap in a variety of ways, similarly to the second strap. For example, the third strap may be stitched directly to the first strap using reinforced webbing material, or there may be intermediate materials by which the second strap is connected to the first strap. (Moreover, the third strap may be an extension of the second strap, so that in reality the second and third straps are simply portions of a single long strap which, at some mid-range point is directly or indirectly connected to the first strap.) The end of the third strap that is remote from the first strap may be adapted to connect directly or indirectly to some connection point near a third part of the player's body to anchor the device with respect to that part of the player's body (for example the player's chest or back or waist). For example, the remote end of the third strap may be adapted to connect to a point near the small of the player's back. This connection could be accomplished in a variety of ways. As one example, the third strap could be constructed with a releasable swiveling J-clip fastener secured at the remote end of the strap, so that the J-clip fastener could be connected and disconnected to a belt, belt loop, eyehook, or other point near the small of the player's back. This connection could also be accomplished in other ways, e.g. using snapping, buttoning, zipping, hook-and-loop fastening, pinning, clipping, or other methods. The third strap may be adjustable in length to allow a proper fit.

In use, the first strap can be extended around the player's arm and adjusted until it fits with a comfortable snugness. The second strap can be drawn toward and connected at the desired connection point. If a third strap is employed, it too can be drawn toward and connected at its desired connection point. One example of this usage would be securing the first strap snugly around a golfer's lead arm and attaching the second strap to a point near the golfer's opposite hip. Further to this example, the third strap (if employed) could be attached to a point near the small of the golfer's back. According to this example, with or without use of a third strap, in this condition the golfer's lead arm can be positioned close to the body while yet allowing a certain range of remaining mobility within the constraints of the attached device so that the golfer can swing a club in a generally natural motion and in a proper or desired arc and plane, e.g., approximately maintaining the starting radius of the player's swing throughout the swing motion.

The device or method described can potentially be used by either male or female players, and by either right- or left-handed players. The device may be put on and removed somewhat easily. In a preferred embodiment later described, the device can be portable and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The invention may be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS REFLECTING A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the device showing the outside of the first strap;

FIG. 2 is a view of a preferred embodiment of the device showing the inside of the first strap;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device showing the operation of the first strap to form a loop, as if to be worn by a player around the player's arm.

FIG. 4 is a frontal view showing a user wearing a preferred embodiment of the device;

FIG. 5 is a rear view showing a user wearing a preferred embodiment of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, it will be seen that an embodiment of the training device consists of a first strap 10, a second strap 20, and optionally a third strap 30, each of which may be constructed of a nylon webbing material. Second strap 20 and optional third strap 30 may be attached directly or indirectly to first strap 10 in a variety of ways, as illustrated in FIG. 1 by the attachment area of stitched nylon webbing 12 on the outer surface of first strap 10. Each of the second strap 20 and third strap 30 may incorporate a remote connection interface such as releasable swiveling J-clip fasteners 22, 32 in order to allow connection of straps 20, 30 to connection points near specified parts of the player's body. To ensure a proper fit of this device embodiment, second strap 20 and third strap 30 may also incorporate adjustable buckles 24, 34 so that the lengths of straps 20, 30 can be slidably customized.

To allow this embodiment of first strap 10 to be secured around a player's arm, first strap 10 may include a rigid elongated ring 14 secured at a first end of strap 10, so as to allow the second end of the strap to pass through the ring 14 and fold back upon the strap and be secured there in some manner (e.g., by hook-and-loop fastening, snapping, buttoning, zipping, clipping, or other methods). In this embodiment, hook-and-loop fastening is provided for first strap 10 in the following manner. The end of first strap 10 that is remote from ring 14 includes a strip 16 of, e.g., male hook-and-loop fastening material which may be securely stitched to the outer surface of this end of first strap 10. A mid-range portion of first strap 10, located somewhere between ring 14 and strip 16, includes a strip 18 of, e.g., female hook-and-loop fastening material which may be securely stitched to the outer surface of this mid-range portion of first strap 10.

FIG. 2 illustrates that the inner surface of first strap 10 may optionally incorporate padding material 19 to provide for greater player comfort in using this embodiment of the device.

In use, as illustrated in FIG. 3, first strap 10 can be formed into a flexible, adjustable loop to be worn around a player's arm. In an embodiment, this wearable loop can be formed by taking the end of first strap 10 that is remote from ring 14, passing that end of strap 10 through ring 14, doubling back that end of strap 10, and fastening that end of strap 10 to another portion of strap 10 to secure the loop formed by strap 10 in a comfortably snug fit around the arm of the player. As a result of this formation of first strap 10, it can be seen that the inner surface of strap 10 generally defines the interior of a loop to be worn around a player's arm, and the outer surface of first strap 10 generally defines the exterior of a loop to be worn around the player's arm, with part of strap 10 doubled back upon itself to secure the loop so formed.

FIGS. 4, 5 illustrate the usage of second strap 20 and optional third strap 30, respectively, in a preferred embodiment. In both these figures first strap 10 already has been wrapped around the player's arm and secured to form a loop thereupon. As shown in FIG. 4, second strap 20 can be connected to a point near a second part of the player's body (for a golfer, e.g., often the hip opposite the player's first arm). In this embodiment the end of second strap 20 that is remote from first strap 10 can be connected (e.g., using releasable swiveling J-clip fastener 22) to a belt, belt loop, eyehook, or other point near the player's hip opposite the player's first arm. In this embodiment adjustable buckle 24 may be used to adjust the effective length of second strap 20 to allow a proper fit suited to the dimensions of the player's body.

As shown in FIG. 5, optional third strap 30 can be connected to a point near a third part of the player's body (e.g., the small of the player's back). In this embodiment the end of third strap 30 that is remote from first strap 10 can be connected (e.g., using releasable swiveling J-clip fastener 32) to a belt, belt loop, eyehook, or other point near the small of the player's back. In this embodiment adjustable buckle 34 may be used to adjust the effective length of third strap 30 to allow a proper fit suited to the dimensions of the player's body.

In a preferred golfing embodiment in which the first arm is the player's lead swinging arm, the second part of the player's body is the player's hip opposite the lead arm, and the third part of the player's body is the small of the player's back, the arrangement illustrated by the accompanying drawings may provide any of several benefits, including but not limited to the following:

(a) the device may somewhat restrain motion in the golfer's lead arm relative to the golfer's body, helping the golfer to train the lead arm to stay close to the torso throughout the range of motion of a typical golf swing;

(b) the device may somewhat affect the range of motion in the golfer's lead arm relative to the golfer's body, helping the golfer to train the motion of the lead arm in a proper golf swing so as to achieve a consistent arc or plane of swinging motion;

(c) the device may somewhat constrain the golfer's hip opposite the lead arm relative to the golfer's body, helping the golfer to train the hip in a desirable follow-through motion as part of a typical golf swing;

(d) the device may somewhat constrain the golfer's hip on the same side of the body as the lead arm, helping the golfer to train the hip in a desirable path of motion coordinated with the lead arm as part of a proper golf swing backstroke;

(e) the device may assist in approximately maintaining the starting radius of the player's swing throughout the swing motion;

(f) the device may assist in teaching proper sequential movements of a golfer's primary swing muscles so as to achieve a proper golf swing;

(g) the device may assist in creating an effective centrifugal force in a golfer's swing motion, e.g., by helping to balance the inner (pull) and outer (push) forces of the golfer's lead arm and second arm, respectively. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a first connection point associated with a first arm of a player; a second connection point associated with a second part of a body of said player; and a primary connection strap adapted to connect said first connection point with said second connection point; said apparatus being adapted to restrict movement of said first arm relative to said body; said apparatus further being adapted to promote execution by said player of a swinging motion appropriate to a sports activity.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second part of said body comprises a hip opposite said first arm; and wherein said first arm comprises a lead arm.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third connection point associated with a third part of said body; and a supplemental connection strap adapted to connect said first connection point with said third connection point.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said third part of said body comprises a back portion of said body.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising an arm strap adapted to encircle said lead arm; said arm strap being connected with said first connection point.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said arm strap is adjustable to provide a proper fit for said lead arm of said player; and said primary connection strap is adjustable to varying lengths to provide a customizable connection between said lead arm and said hip.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising an arm strap adapted to encircle said lead arm; said arm strap being connected with said first connection point; wherein said second part of said body comprises a hip opposite said first arm; wherein said first arm comprises a lead arm; wherein said arm strap is adjustable to provide a proper fit for said lead arm of said player; wherein said primary connection strap is adjustable to varying lengths to provide a customizable connection between said lead arm and said hip; and wherein said supplemental connection strap is adjustable to varying lengths to provide a customizable connection between said lead arm and said back portion.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said sports activity comprises golfing.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a first connection point associated with a first arm of a player; a second connection point associated with a hip of said player, said hip being on a side of a body of said player that is opposite from said first arm; means for connecting said first connection point with said second connection point; said means for connecting being adapted to restrict movement of said first arm relative to said body of said player; said apparatus further being adapted to promote execution by said player of a swinging motion appropriate to a sports activity.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said first arm comprises a lead arm.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising: a third connection point associated with a third part of said body; and supplemental connection means adapted to connect said first connection point with said third connection point.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said third part of said body comprises a back portion of said body.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising arm attachment means connected with said first connection point.
 14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said arm attachment means is adjustable to provide a proper fit for said lead arm of said player; and said means for connecting is adjustable to varying lengths to provide a customizable connection between said lead arm and said hip.
 15. An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising arm attachment means connected with said first connection point; wherein said first arm comprises a lead arm; wherein said arm attachment means is adjustable to provide a proper fit for said lead arm of said player; wherein said means for connecting is adjustable to varying lengths to provide a customizable connection between said lead arm and said hip; and wherein said supplemental connection means is adjustable to varying lengths to provide a customizable connection between said lead arm and said back portion.
 16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said sports activity comprises golfing.
 17. A method comprising: restricting movement of a lead arm of a player, relative to a body of said player, by: establishing a first connection point associated with said lead arm; establishing a second connection point associated with a second part of said body; providing a primary connection between said first connection point and said second connection point; training said lead arm and said player in executing a swinging motion appropriate to a sports activity.
 18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising: establishing a third connection point associated with a third part of said body; and providing a supplemental connection between said first connection point and said third connection point.
 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said second part of said body comprises a hip of said player opposite from said lead arm; wherein said third part of said body comprises a back portion of said body; and wherein said sports activity comprises golfing; said method further comprising adjusting said primary connection and said supplemental connection to provide a customizable fit for said player.
 20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising: training said lead arm to stay near said body throughout said swinging motion; and training said lead arm to maintain an approximately consistent arc, plane, and radius throughout said swinging motion. 